Wamuzi News Ke
The integrity of Kenya’s Social Health Authority (SHA) program has come under serious threat after revelations that Apeiro Limited, a relatively obscure firm, stands to receive KSh 57 billion from a KSh 104 billion healthcare technology contract. Questions are now being raised in Parliament about how such a massive commitment was awarded — and whether proper oversight and competitive procurement were observed.
The controversy has galvanized demand for accountability. National Assembly’s Health Committee Chairman Amos Kimunya announced he will summon Apeiro, Safaricom, and Konvergenz executives to explain the contract’s opaque approval process and potential conflicts of interest.
What We Know: Billions at Stake, Little Transparency
Under the awarded project, Apeiro Limited reportedly holds the lion’s share — KSh 57 billion — with Safaricom and Konvergenz Network Solutions slated to receive KSh 21 billion and KSh 17.2 billion, respectively.
Critics note that Apeiro was established after the procurement process commenced, fueling suspicion about how it qualified for a portion of the deal.
Officials linked to the SHA transition argue the contract is central to rolling out a digital infrastructure—matching medical records, claims processing, and public health databases. But skeptics warn that where so much public money is involved, the absence of transparency is a red flag.
Parliamentary Firestorm: Duale and the Hidden Contractors
Today’s hearing also puts Majority Leader Aden Duale in the hot seat. He has been called upon to explain how two private firms were contracted to manage billions under the SHA rollout — a role critics argue should rest with public institutions.
Lawmakers are pressing for:
- Full disclosure of the procurement process
- Justification for direct procurement or single sourcing, if used
- Ownership transparency of Apeiro and its parent entities
- Breakdown of deliverables and payment milestones
Legal and Political Risks Ahead
If evidence emerges of irregularities, the contract could be nullified, and senior officials—public and private—exposed to legal and reputational fallout. Watch for:
- Judicial challenges by petitioners demanding contract cancellation
- Audits and forensic investigations into prior payments already made
- Damage to SHA rollout and potential delays or abandonment of key digital health systems
- Political fallout for allies of the deal and potential realignment among health sector stakeholders
